The Handmaid's Tale Season 2: when's it on UK TV, new trailer and more

What to expect from the second season of Margaret Atwood's dystopian sci-fi

The Handmaid's Tale was one of the breakout TV hits of 2017. Adapted from Margaret Atwood's 1985 novel, set in a totalitarian, patriarchal future where fertile women are put in service as 'handmaids' and forced to bear children for the rich elite, it was a deeply intelligent feminist take on sci-fi concepts and misogyny.

Elisabeth Moss put in a powerful performance as Offred, a handmaid desperately trying to cling to her own identity under the strict religious rules imposed by the nation of Gilead.

Here are all the details we have on season 2, when and where you can watch The Handmaid's Tale in the UK.

When can I watch The Handmaid's Tale Season 2?

The Handmaid's Tale is streaming service Hulu's star performer winning multiple Emmys and Golden Globes in 2017. Season 2 starts on Wed 25 April 2018. However, Hulu is only available in America unless you're some smarty-pants with a VPN. Season 1 broadcast in the UK one month after its US premier and on Sunday nights. However, the first series was such a hit we expect there will be a shorter broadcast delay than last time so our best guess is early May (or even late April if we're really lucky). If Channel 4 keeps it on Sundays, watch this space for a UK premier on Sun 29 April or Sun 6 May .

How can I watch season 2 in the UK?

Channel 4 are once again airing The Handmaid's Tale in Britain, with catch up on All4.

Is there a trailer for Handmaid's Tale Season 2 yet?

Yes and it looks like another dark gruelling series ahead.

And trailer 2 is now out too...

How many episodes?

After the success of the first season the second instalment is slightly longer with 13 episodes.

What can we expect?

It's hard to know exactly where The Handmaid's Tale will go next as the first season covers pretty much all the events in Margaret Atwood's novel, ending with the same cliffhanger as the source material. So finally finding out what happens to Offred (Moss) after she's bundled into the back of that sinister van is an intriguing prospect. Presumably her and Luke (O-T Fagbenle) will continue to search for their missing daughter. Also, as the trailer suggests, we'll find out more about how the fictional world of Gilead works and how it was established.

Any other Atwood adaptations on the cards?

Margaret Atwood is one of the world's most respected writers and 2017 was a breakthrough year in terms of adaptations. There was The Handmaid's Tale, of course, alongside Netflix miniseries Alias Grace. Darren Aronofsky is currently preparing a TV version of her MaddAddam trilogy for HBO while her graphic novel series Angel Catbird has been turned into an audio drama (with a cameo appearance by Atwood) by Audible.